Black Panther: A Marvel Film Breaking Expectations and Records

Struggling to find the words to adequately express all of his emotions, film director Ryan Coogler penned a heartfelt letter to fans.

“Never in a million years did we imagine that you all would come out of this strong. It still humbles me to think that people care enough to spend their money and time watching our film. But to see people of all backgrounds wearing clothing that celebrates their heritage, taking pictures next to our posters with their friends and family, and sometimes dancing in the lobbies of theaters- often moved me and my wife to tears,” he wrote.

He ended the letter simply saying, “Thank you for giving our team of filmmakers the greatest gift: The opportunity to share this film that we poured our hearts and souls into, with you.”

Coogler’s “Black Panther” has achieved something no other film of its kind has before by not just breaking records but shattering them. So Coogler has a good reason to shed a few tears.

Like any filmmaker, Coogler just wanted people to go see his film. He wanted someone to admire his craft and appreciate his and his team’s work. Disney wanted to push the envelope and take a gamble on the superhero film that redefined what a superhero is in the mostly all African American cast movie. All wanted a profit, of course. But none expected what has resulted from this movie.

Breaking Records

Earlier this year “Black Panther” was expected to earn between $100 - $120 million. A far cry from the actual $242 million it made during its debut weekend. Coming in fifth place behind “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” at $248 million, “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” at $220 million, “Jurassic World” at $208.8 million, and “The Avengers” at $207.4 million, “Black Panther is the highest grossing film of all time for a three-day opening weekend. It also holds the record for the second highest moneymaker for a four-day weekend. It set another milestone as the top Monday domestic grossing film ever with $40.2 million; bringing its four-day weekend total to $242 million.

Internationally, “Black Panther” did just as well earning $184.6 million with the majority of that being earned in South Korea and the U.K. Add that to its North America earnings and “Black Panther” has grossed an amazing $426.6 million in just four days. Boom!

With each passing day, it seems “Black Panther” breaks another record. The 2016 film “Deadpool” use to hold the record for the top spot as the highest grossing film for a President’s Day weekend at $152 million but that was before “Black Panther” almost double that. No other African American director has had a film that has made as much money as “Black Panther” has. It has the best showing of any February film. Talk about phenomenal!

#BlackPantherChallenge

Besides its outstanding showing at the box office, “Black Panther” is having a positive effect on the world creating a movement that is causing people to show their Black pride and appreciate their heritage and culture.